He Ate a Slug on a Dare — No One Expected What Happened Next

In 2018, a young man tragically passed away from complications that began with a seemingly harmless dare—one that turned deadly. The incident had actually taken place a decade earlier and serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers linked to parasites carried by slugs.

Back in 2010, 19-year-old Sam Ballard from Sydney, Australia, was spending a relaxed evening with friends. They were casually enjoying a bottle of red wine when the mood shifted. “We were sitting around, having a bit of a red wine appreciation night, trying to act like adults, when a slug crawled across the patio,” recalled his friend Jimmy. “Someone asked, ‘Should I eat it?’ and Sam went ahead and did it.”

Parasites You Didn’t See Coming

While eating a slug may sometimes result in nothing more than mild stomach discomfort, Sam Ballard’s experience was far more devastating. What began as a dare among friends would alter the course of his life forever. Once a promising rugby player, Sam lost his ability to walk and was forced to give up the sport—and the future—he loved.

He had contracted rat lungworm, a parasite commonly found in slugs. At first, he experienced weakness and pain in his legs, but his condition quickly deteriorated. As the parasite spread, Sam developed eosinophilic meningitis—a serious infection of the brain—and eventually slipped into a coma that lasted 420 days.

When Sam Ballard finally woke from his coma, he was met with the heartbreaking reality that his life had changed forever. The parasite he had contracted—commonly found in slugs—had caused a severe brain infection, ultimately leading to permanent paralysis. Walking was no longer possible, and even basic tasks like eating or using the restroom required full-time assistance.

His mother, Katie Ballard, stepped into the role of full-time caregiver, providing 24-hour support and unwavering love throughout the years that followed. Sam remained under her care until 2018, when he tragically passed away at the age of 29. Surrounded by family and friends, Sam’s final words to his mother were that he loved her—a moment of love and connection in the midst of immense loss.

source: Danny Aarons | News Corp Australia

What You Need to Know About Slug-Related Illness

Incredibly, Katie does not blame Sam’s friends for the incident, understanding that friends sometimes encourage each other to partake in “peculiar acts.” Sam’s story is one that will likely stay with his friends forever as a sobering reminder. Fortunately, many such cases are avoidable with simple precautions.

The easiest way to prevent infection is to avoid eating or licking slugs, even if it’s just to fulfill a dare. Additionally, if you come into contact with slugs, do not touch your face or mouth, and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly and as soon as possible.

Knowing a bit about slugs and their habits can also help reduce risk. Slugs vary in size and can be small enough to hide in fresh produce. Avoid consuming raw or undercooked mollusks, and always double-check fruits and vegetables before eating them.

These simple actions can help protect against rat lungworm and other diseases linked to slugs, such as angiostrongyliasis, paragonimiasis, and fascioliasis. These parasitic infections can severely impact vital organs including the brain, biliary tract, and intestines. In some cases, they may cause an overactive immune response, infertility, or even death.

Being informed and cautious can save lives and prevent unnecessary suffering.

The Worm You Need to Know About

Rat lungworm, also known as Angiostrongylus cantonensis (AC) infection, is identified by the CDC as “the most common infectious cause of eosinophilic meningitis.” This type of meningitis affects a specific type of white blood cells called eosinophils. There are five recognized types of meningitis, with parasitic meningitis being less common than bacterial or viral forms.

The life cycle of rat lungworm is both disturbing and fascinating. It begins in rodents, which carry the adult worms. These worms produce immature larvae that are passed through the rodents’ digestive tracts in their droppings. Next, slugs and other mollusks become infected by ingesting the rodent feces containing the larvae. Finally, humans or other animals can become infected by coming into contact with the infected slugs or even their slime trails.